Quality Assurance: Water Testing
Performance Water Testing
Performance water testing is focused on the absorption of liquid and its movement on the surface of and/or through a fabric.
TERMS TO KNOW (click to flip)
A fabric characteristic measured as the increase of specified distance under a prescribed tension, usually expressed as a percentage of…
view in glossaryAn increase in distance of specified benchmarks after extension to a prescribed tension for a time interval followed by the…
view in glossaryThe characteristic of a fabric to prevent water from being absorbed or passed through the fabric structure.
view in glossaryThe ability of a fabric to withstand water going through its structure.
view in glossaryThe ability of a fabric to let go of soil particulate, oils, or other sources of discoloration after laundering.
view in glossaryRain/Water
The rain/water tests measure resistance to or repellency of water on the surface or through a fabric.
Rain Test
The rain test was originally published by A-A-T-C-C in 1947. This standard has been reaffirmed, revised and been in use since it was developed.
Water Repellency: Spray Test
The principle of the A-A-T-C-C 22 Water Repellency: Spray Test is to judge the pattern of water spray on the surface of a fabric specimen under controlled conditions using a visual rating scale.
A-A-T-C-C Test Methods
A-A-T-C-C Test Methods 22 Water Repellency Spray Test and 35 Water Resistance (Rain Test) are the most widely used to set performance specifications for coats and jackets.
Towel Absorbency
Other tests for water absorbency, repellency and resistance are standards developed by A-A-T-C-C. AATCC’s focus for standard test method development is on fabric attributes related to fabric wet-processing and finishing. AATCC does not develop performance specifications for categories of textile end products. ASTM does develop test methods and performance specifications for textile and apparel products. One such test is ASTM D47-72, a water flow test that measures the absorbency of terry fabrics used in towels.
